Versatile Vintage Clothing – The Classics

The classics are timeless clothes, as wearable today as the day they were made. They have simple lines – not too gimmicky or faddish. These versatile pieces fit easily into a modern wardrobe giving it a boost. Adding a classic article of vintage clothing makes an ensemble uniquely individual.

Enduring fabrics and beautiful shapes are attributes of the classics. Silhouettes that appear again and again, throughout time. Classic clothing features quality and detail that nowadays you find only in very expensive garments.

What articles of attire are regarded as classics? The bomber jacket, the double-breasted jacket, and blazers with hand-cut buttons and striped silk linings fall into the fashion category of the classics. The soft beaded sweaters and sweater sets from the 1950’s, the bodysuits and jumpsuits of the 1970’s, perfectly cut 1960’s chemise dresses, princess skirts and dresses of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1980’s are all classics. Then there is the mini-skirt, Capri pants, halter tops, palazzo pants and the bias cut dress. Just a few of the myriad styles of clothing that fall into the classics.

The Waist Length Jacket

The first “bomber" or “battle" jacket were those worn by pilots in World War II. The style was a result of a need for less bulky clothes, so they could move with ease in the confined space of a cockpit. Designers of the 1960’s, such as Cardin and Dior, were quick to incorporate this silhouette into their sportswear lines. The short waist jacket of the 1940’s and the boxy short jacket of the 1950’s and 1960’s have also become fashion classics. This cut is most flattering to those who are just a tad short waisted. A style that will endure, it can be worn with jeans, pleated skirts, pencils skirts and other classics. True classics will always be a hit when paired together. Team them with an item from different eras and you have your own classic style.

The Turtleneck Sweater

British athletes used high-necked, rollover collar jerseys in their uniforms back in the 1860’s. By the 1900’s the turtleneck jersey had become a part of American football gear. Shortly after this time, the turtleneck was included in the uniform of naval men who served aboard submarines. In the 1920’s, famous news correspondent, Noel Coward made an ultimate fashion statement by wearing the turtleneck with a blazer. It again became fashionable in the 1940’s as a component of the tweedy menswear look. Turtlenecks enjoyed another comeback in the 1960s, first among beatniks and flower children, then among the mainstream. By 1967, the turtleneck was deemed the best alternative to a shirt and tie. The 1990’s saw the turtleneck transform into a halter, making it even more appealing and sexy. The turtleneck is an adaptable garment with the ability to enhance a long slender neck or hide a sagging chin.

The Mini-Skirt

Mini skirts first became popular in the mid 1960’s. To this day, it is unclear as to who actually invented the mini-skirt, however popular belief, is that it was the girl in the street. Hemlines continued to rise until the late 1960’s when the micro-mini was in high fashion. A bit flared, these skirts were made of stiff and colourful fabrics. By the 1970’s, hemlines had lowered to the maxi-skirt, but not for long as the 1980’s saw the mini-skirt come back thriving. Now known as “short skirts", they are a favorite amongst the young of heart. Whether called a mini-skirt or a short skirt, it is the ideal apparel for those that want to show off their legs.

Imagine an ensemble of these three classics - a white pleated mini-skirt (mid 1960s), worn with a halter turtleneck (1990’s) underneath a pastel bomber jacket (late 1960’s).

Delve into vintage fashions, where the possibilities of creating your own unique style are endless.